Letter: Tolerance and secularism versus fanaticism in India

Sir: Religious frenzy and mishandling by politicians of the sensitive issue of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya on the site of Lord Rama's birthplace has already cost hundreds of lives. The most important thing is for the violence to stop and for both parties to the dispute to return to the negotiating table. With a little give and take on both sides, it should be possible to come to an amicable solution.

Successive governments have, in the past, fudged the issue, which has been dragging on for 100 years. The ruling by the Supreme Court of India, that the status quo should be maintained, is another attempt by the judiciary to put the lid on this dispute. The court must bite the bullet and make a final decision.

Yours faithfully,

Y. P. SURI

Darlington, Co Durham

8 December

The writer is president of the Hindu Cultural Society.